I often have people look at me with a puzzled expression and ask in some way or form, “Why should I get acupuncture? What will it do for me? “ In the past I have tailored my answer to the individual, explaining to them how acupuncture will ease their back pain, or help them lose weight, but from now on I think I will just tell people who ask the reason most of my patients get acupuncture is it improves their quality of life, and increases their work performance.
Acupuncture improves quality of life. Let’s examine this. Because acupuncture is about restoring the body to a healthy balance while you are having whatever you need treated worked on, your stress level is also dropping, your sleep is improving, and your immune system is being boosted. This week I spoke to a woman whose husband I had treated for back pain. She told me his back felt better, but more importantly to him after his treatment, he had slept better than he had in years.
Which feeds into being more productive at work. People who consistently receive acupuncture are sick less often, react better to stress, and are more focused at work because they get better sleep. They have less body pain and fewer headaches. They’re in a better mood because they feel better.
I also know that there is something about consistently taking an hour to focus solely on your health. It’s good for you, but it’s also sending a message to yourself that you are important. An hour. That seems like so little, but even as I’m writing this I’m thinking about how long that can seem when I am buried under my list of things to do. Of course that is when I need to get acupuncture the most. It is when we drop it all, stop, and take time to refocus that things get really productive.
Acupuncture isn’t a cure all and it’s not for everyone, but when it works for you, it works on a multitude of things at once so your overall health is improved. When I say come consistently that means different things to each of my patients. I have patients who come 2 times a week and others who come once a month, even some who just pop in every few months. Because everyone is different my patients find what works for them and they stick with it because it works.